Word Origin & History

early 15c., "to sign at the bottom of a document," from Latin subscribere "write underneath, sign one's name," from sub "underneath" (see sub-) + scribere "write" (see script (n.)). The meaning "give one's consent" first recorded 1540s; that of "contribute money to" 1630s; and that of "become a regular buyer of a publication" 1711, all originally literal. Related: Subscribed; subscribing.